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Job summary

Main area
Volunteers
Grade
Voluntary
Contract
Voluntary: 6 months (All applicants must be able to commit to one set shift per week for a minimum period of 6 months.)
Hours
1 session per week (Available shifts, Monday-Friday 12:30-16:00)
Job ref
317-Vols-Patient-Support
Employer
The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Various locations across either the RVI or Freeman Hospital
Town
Newcastle upon Tyne
Closing
31/10/2025 23:59

Employer heading

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Learning Disability Patient Support Volunteer

Voluntary

Job overview

Make a difference - one smile at a time

For patients with learning disabilities, being in hospital can be confusing and stressful. As a Learning Disability Support volunteer, you'll play a key part in making their hospital stay more comfortable, fun and reassuring - through one-on-one activities, chats and support. 

This is a wonderful opportunity to brighten someone's day, offer a sense of calm and bring real human connection into a clinical setting. 

Main duties of the job

What you'll be doing

You'll be matched with patients who may benefit from a friendly face and meaningful interaction. Your support might include:

  • Playing games, doing crafts and colouring.
  • Having a relaxed chat over a cup of tea.
  • Helping patients feel pampered (painting nails, giving hand massages or brushing hair).
  • Going for short walks around the hospital grounds or visiting the on-site shop (weather and permission permitting).
  • Feeding back to the Learning Disability team on how the patient engaged.

Don't worry - full guidance and support will be provided.

 

Why volunteer with us?

  • Make a real difference in someone's hospital experience.
  • Gain valuable experience if you're considering a career in healthcare, psychology or social care.
  • Join a welcoming, supportive team.
  • Receive training, supervision and references (upon completion of 50+ hours).
  • Boost your own wellbeing by giving back.

 

Working for our organisation

Our Voluntary Workforce

The Newcastle Hospitals Trust values the involvement of local people as volunteers in activities that enhance the patient, visitor and carer experience, and also support staff in delivering high quality health care.

Your offer of voluntary help is very much appreciated, and you will receive a warm welcome no matter which area of volunteering you choose. 

Without our volunteers, we wouldn't be able to deliver the 'outstanding' care and service that we do today.

Important note on completion of the application form

REFERENCES: Candidates are required to provide the address, telephone number and work email address of TWO referees, who should be either a current or former employer, senior work colleague, teacher, tutor or person of good standing in the community, and certify that they have known you for a minimum of 3 years prior to the date of application.  PLEASE NOTE: That we cannot accept references from Friends or Family members.

DBS: The majority of our Volunteer roles require a Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS) Check.  The volunteer services team will apply for this on your behalf, as part of your pre-engagement checks.  If you already hold an enhanced DBS and it is registered on the DBS Update Service, then you will need to provide evidence and present your original DBS certificate to the Volunteer Services Team during your ID check appointment.

EMAIL: All correspondence to you will be made via email, therefore please ensure that you check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You'll be great in this role if you are:

  • Friendly, compassionate and enjoy connecting with others.
  • Reliable and able to commit regularly. 
  • Calm and patient in new or busy situations.
  • Physically able to push a wheelchair occasionally.
  • Open to learning about working with people with learning disabilities.
  • Creative, chatty and enjoy light-hearted activities

Experience supporting adults with learning disabilities is desirable, but not essential.

Person specification

Essential specific skills / attributes required by volunteer

Essential criteria
  • Relatively fit and healthy and able to push a patient in a wheelchair.
  • Can keep calm under pressure.
  • An understanding of the importance of data security and the importance of safeguarding patient personal information.
  • Good organisational skills.
  • Confident and clear verbal communication skills.
  • Reliable and trustworthy.
  • Have a positive outlook and enthusiastic approach.
Desirable criteria
  • Previous experience or supporting an adult with learning disabilities would be desirable.
  • Experience of crafting/drawing etc would be desirable but not essential.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

We are a Living Wage EmployerVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveInvestors in People: GoldArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardRIDI Awards Finalist 2021Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerStonewall Gold 2022Better Health at Work Award - Maintaining ExcellenceDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldCycle Friendly Employer

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Kathryn Fletcher
Job title
Senior Volunteer Services Administrator
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0191 2824075
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